We keep refusing to shake up Quick. We need to get a body on him and keep him from getting comfortable in the crease. The Kings keep doing it to Elliott...why won't we?

Really? Perron has flopped on Quick twice, maybe more. Backes flopped on Quick at least once. Stewart is getting in his space in front of the crease on the PP. Quick is getting it too. My recall says Quick has been fallen on more than Elliott.

The difference between us and the Kings is which team really wants it and is digging just abit deeper to get it. We won two games against the Kings and our record against them is absymal; there is no reason we can't win two more. This game, I don't think it would have mattered who we had on the ice, we pretty much ran out of steam. This team isn't used to being hit, hit, HIT so much. First two games we took, but I think the physicality is finally catching up with us and older people like AMac who has really been under the radar is probably feeling it more than most. We have to get to that level with the Kings and then take a step up, that's when we win.

And for those talking mess about Tank, look, how long did it take Brett Hull to be a breakout star? He wasn't a huge hit when he touched ice for the first year or two, he was just a highly touted one with skill that everyone spoke highly of. Tank is the same way and we'd have seen more of that if it wasn't for two, not one, but two concussions.

On Saturday, we let the Kings off the ropes. Last night, they punched their way back into the fight and they landed some big blows. I had this nervous feeling the whole game, even with a 2-0 lead it felt like the Blues would need more. What frustrates me is that they turtled right off the hop in the 3rd. They could have been tired, I don't know, but they were in that shell defense and the Kings were bringing it to them. They didn't get their first shot of the 3rd until 8 minutes remaining if I recall. Once the Kings swung back and then took the lead, the Blues had nothing left. They had blown 2 leads at that point and the offense hadn't done anything for awhile. Very frustrating.

Even more frustrating is that the first two goals shouldn't have happened. Oshie HAS to get that puck in deep. If anyone blames that on Jax, start by looking Oshie's way, because once he failed to do so, it snowballed and then Jackman fell over. The second goal was just a horrible pinch by Leopold and the Kings jumped on it. If the Blues don't shoot themselves in the foot so early in the game, we could be talking about a 3-1 series lead.

Oshie threw much of the blame on himself, but I was most frustrated with our D and not just on the goals...they played scared. They were getting hit so much they were making 'excuse me' attempts at clearing the puck and that led to extending time in the defensive zone. The top pairing of 19 and 27 had 6 turnovers alone.

I understand that the forwards got a little loose offensively (and I'm not excusing that), but I can't stand playing 'scared'.

And the point about the physical play weighing on the veterans is dead on. Andy Mac has been useless anyways and Jacks has had NOTHING left in each of the last two third periods.

Hitch would never do it, but Tank should skate for 10 Wednesday and I'd put 6 in for 5.....I'm not getting on him for falling down, but watch the last two third periods....he's completely spent, he's standing there watching, he's got NOTHING left at that point.

Hell, if you're going to treat the fourth line they way you have the last two games, dress 7 defenseman.

Good analysis. Oshie proved to be a stand-up guy, but this loss wasn't on him. I can't imagine Hitch ever sitting Jackman for Porter, but he ought to. Jackman looks old, slow, and outclassed, especially in the third period. He needs a game off, and game 5 would be a great choice because it would have him fresh for game six, then seven if necessary.

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And for those talking mess about Tank, look, how long did it take Brett Hull to be a breakout star? He wasn't a huge hit when he touched ice for the first year or two, he was just a highly touted one with skill that everyone spoke highly of. Tank is the same way and we'd have seen more of that if it wasn't for two, not one, but two concussions.

I don't think anyone disagrees with that analysis of his game. I'm just not interested in him trying to develop it over six minutes in a game in the playoffs. Either he's not able to play at this level yet, or Hitch isn't willing to play him at this level. He will next year, but it's not next year yet.

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